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Harnessing the Power of Proteins in our Cells to Combat Disease

February 25, 2021 sarah Jonas Autoimmune Disease, BIOCHEMISTRY, Cancer, Chemistry, Drug Discovery, Drug Discovery And Development, Drug Research and Development, Enzymes, HIV, Pharmaceutical Industry, Pharmaceuticals, proteins, proteins and disease, Research, Science

A lab on UNLV’s campus has been a hub of activity in recent years, playing a significant role in a new realm of drug discovery — one that could potentially provide a solution for patients who have run out of options.

Feature

Molecular Details Reveal New Clues about Common Brain Tumor

February 11, 2021 sarah Jonas Biology, Brain Cancer, Brain Tumor, Glioblastoma, integrative biology, proteins

The largest and most detailed molecular analysis yet of an aggressive brain cancer, called glioblastoma, reveals fundamental details that drive its growth. The

Research Results

Bringing Bad Proteins Back Into The Fold

February 11, 2021 sarah Jonas Peter O’Donnell Jr. Brain Institute, proteins

DALLAS – Feb. 11, 2021 – A study led by UT Southwestern has identified a mechanism that controls the activity of proteins known as chaperones, which guide proteins to fold into the right shapes. The findings, published online today in Nature Communications, could shed light on hundreds of degenerative and neurodegenerative diseases caused by protein misfolding, such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and Huntington’s, potentially leading to new treatments for these devastating conditions.

Research Results

Researchers use lasers and molecular tethers to create perfectly patterned platforms for tissue engineering

January 18, 2021 sarah Jonas Cell Biology, Cell Culture, Cell Growth, Cellular Biology, Hydrogel, hydrogel research, Hydrogels, Protein, proteins, tissue bioengineering, Tissue Engineering

University of Washington researchers developed a technique to modify naturally occurring biological polymers with protein-based biochemical messages to affect cell behavior. Their approach uses near-infrared lasers to trigger chemical adhesion of proteins to scaffolds made from biological polymers like collagen.

Research Results

How Did Red Algae Survive in Extreme Environments?

October 29, 2020 sarah Jonas Algae, anti-inflammatory, Antioxidants, Aquatic, Arsenic, Bacteria, Biofuels, Carbohydrates, Carbon Dioxide, Drought, Earth, Environment, environmental cleanups, extreme environments, genes, genetic, Genome, Germany, Glucose, Glycogen, Heavy Metals, Horizontal gene transfer, Hot Springs, Joint Genome Institute, Mercury, NASA, Oxygen, Photosynthesis, plants, proteins, red algae, South Korea, Sugar, Toxic, water, Yellowstone National Park

Red algae have persisted in hot springs and surrounding rocks for about 1 billion years. Now, a Rutgers-led team will investigate why these single-celled extremists have thrived in harsh environments – research that could benefit environmental cleanups and the production of biofuels and other products.

Feature

Flexing our research muscle: Scientists use APS to better understand muscle form, function

October 22, 2020 sarah Jonas Advanced Photon Source (APS), Biology, proteins, Structural Biology, x-ray diffraction, X-Ray Science and Technology

Powerful APS X-rays are used to uncover the structure and behavior of proteins controlling tarantula muscles. These insights may help scientists better understand our own muscles.

Announcement

UB biophysicist to explore molecular mysteries of protein-RNA droplets

September 22, 2020 sarah Jonas ALS, Biophysics, Cellular Biology, Chemistry, Physics, proteins, RNA

Inside human cells, proteins and RNA can cluster together to form spherical droplets that play vital roles in cellular processes as well as in certain human diseases. A $2 million grant will allow biophysicist Priya Banerjee’s team at UB to explore the molecular details of protein-RNA condensates.

Research Results

EMBARGOED: Genetic study of proteins is a breakthrough in drug development for complex diseases

September 7, 2020 sarah Jonas Drug Development, Drugs, genetic, proteins

An innovative genetic study of blood protein levels, led by researchers in the MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit (MRC-IEU) at the University of Bristol, has demonstrated how genetic data can be used to support drug target prioritisation by identifying the causal effects of proteins on diseases.

Research Results

New computational tool allows researchers to predict key functional sites in proteins

September 3, 2020 sarah Jonas proteins

A new technology that uses a protein’s structure to predict the inner wiring that controls the protein’s function and dynamics is now available for scientists to utilize. The tool, developed by researchers at Penn State, may be useful for protein engineering and drug design.